On June 28, Joseph Lamont Williams, 49, was arrested in South Inglewood Park and charged with two felony counts under Tennessee’s state property camping law. Williams, who had lived in the East Nashville park for several years, was one of two individuals detained during the enforcement action. He remained in jail for nine days before the felony charges were dismissed by a judge.
Tennessee is currently the only state in the U.S. that designates camping on public property as a felony, a crime carrying a maximum penalty of six years in prison. Williams ultimately pleaded to a lesser charge to secure his release. According to the National Homelessness Law Center, 11 states have passed similar camping bans in the last four years, following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allows municipalities to prohibit sleeping in public spaces.
Supporters of these bans argue they provide law enforcement with the tools to maintain public order and create incentives for individuals to engage with social services and shelters. Opponents, including advocates from Open Table Nashville, contend that felony charges create permanent barriers to employment and housing, further complicating efforts to resolve chronic homelessness. Following his release from custody, Williams returned to the same park pavilion where he had previously resided.